Reducing the risks of fire
The
Star, Saturday December 11,
2004
By DEEPAK GILL
A fire can be terrifying, and it can strike anywhere at any time. The best
protection from fire is in prevention. However this is not always possible, so
knowing what to do is essential.
Usually, the first indication of a fire is smoke, either detected by sight or
smell. Many residential fires start in the kitchen, but the deadliest are the
ones that start when nobody is around.
The most common causes are carelessly discarded cigarettes, faulty wiring or
electrical equipment, kerosene stove accidents and kids playing with matches or
lighters.
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Staying close to the floor when evacuating is the
safest option. Inset: The only people who should enter a burning building
are firefighters. |
There are measures you can take
to reduce the risks of fire. Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles and wear
short or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook. Keep the handles of your pots
turned inward so they do not stick out over the stove. If grease catches fire in
a pan, carefully slide a lid over the pan and smother the flames. Then turn off
the burner. Do not douse with water.
If you use halogen lights, make sure they are away from flammable drapes and
low ceiling areas. Never leave them on when you leave your home or office. A
powerful bulb can also burn lampshades – use energy-saving bulbs which don’t get
hot. If an electrical appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it
immediately and have it repaired. Replace frayed or cracked electrical cords and
don't overload extension cords.
A small fire can be put out by covering it with a blanket or thick curtain to
deprive it of oxygen. A fire extinguisher is also useful, but ascertain its
suitability. A water-based extinguisher (type A) must never be used on an
electrical or oil fire (such as at the kitchen stove). The dry chemical or
powder extinguisher (type ABC) is suitable for most fires, including liquids and
gases.
When using an extinguisher, pull the pin, aim nozzle at the heart of the
fire, squeeze the trigger and sweep from side to side, keeping the canister
upright. An extinguisher needs to be maintained, so check that the pressure
gauge is always in the green zone. Once used, even for a second, extinguishers
need to be recharged. In any case, service annually.
The website of the University of Oklahoma (http://www.ou.edu/), the US, has valuable tips on
fire safety. It advises to never fight a fire if: 1) It’s spreading beyond the
spot where it started. 2) The fire may block your only escape route; 3) You
don’t have adequate fire-fighting equipment.
In any case, the smartest option often is to run to safety as soon as
possible before the fire spreads.
Having a plan
It's crucial to have a definite evacuation plan. As soon as a fire is
detected, you should know how to get out, even in total darkness. There must be
at least two routes out of your home or building.
Make sure that everyone understands the escape plan and can escape
independently of each other. The family or occupants have to know that once they
have gotten out as quickly as possible, they are never to go back in for
whatever reason. If someone is missing, tell the fire-fighters. They are
equipped to perform rescues safely.
Choose a safe meeting place outside the house. Once outside, call the fire
department immediately. The last one out of any room should close the door but
not lock it. Locking the door hinders the fire department's search-and-rescue
efforts. If you live in an apartment building, make sure that you're familiar
with the building's evacuation plan. In case of a fire, use the staircase
(preferably a smoke-free one) to go down. Never use the elevator.
Staircases of buildings have doors that are fire-rated (hence the need to keep
them shut), meaning they can hold off flames for a considerable period.
The National Fire Protection Agency of US (http://www.nfpa.org/) advises families to
“practise the escape plan at least twice a year, making sure that everyone is
involved – from kids to grandparents. Allow children to master fire escape
planning and practice before holding a fire drill at night when they are
sleeping.
“The objective is to practise, not to frighten, so telling children there
will be a drill before they go to bed can be as effective as a surprise drill.
If children or others do not readily waken to the sound of the smoke alarm, make
sure that someone is assigned to assist them in a fire drill and in the event of
an emergency.”
The USFA adds that children may become frightened and confused in a fire and
hide rather than escape to safety - especially if they started the fire.
“Children are often found hiding in closets or under beds where they feel safe.
Therefore, it is crucial for your child's safety that you hold fire drills in
the home at least twice a year to let them practise the right things to do in a
fire emergency.”
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Practise fire drills with your
children. |
Several studies have concluded that
when working smoke alarms are present, the chance of dying from fire is cut in
half. Make sure everyone recognises the sound. Test it once a month, replace
batteries annually and replace unit after 10 years. There should be one unit on
each floor. Hardware stores sell them – it’s a small invesment that could save
your life. As a volunteer firefighter told me, “I have four smoke alarms because
I only have one mother.”
If rooms are grilled, at least one window in each room must have a removable
grill. These quick-release mechanisms won't compromise your security, but they
will tremendously increase your chances of escaping a home fire.
Other points to remember
Keep all matches and lighters out of reach of children. The US Fire
Administration states that clothing fires are a significant cause of fire
injuries to children (and to adults).
“They set their clothes on fire by getting too close to heat sources such as
open fires or stoves, or when playing with matches or lighters. Here too, the
best defence is a respect for fire and to know what to do if your clothes do
catch fire,” says their website.
“People can become victims of fire by falling asleep smoking, either in bed
or in a favourite chair, especially after consuming alcohol or taking
medication. Ashtrays emptied before smouldering materials are completely put out
also start a number of fires in homes of smokers.”
The fire administration strongly advises against leaving young children alone
at home. “Even if they don't play with fire, unattended children can
accidentally start a fire by attempting to cook something or by using an
electrical appliance in the wrong way. All too often, tragic fires occur when
young children are left unattended, for even short periods.”
When you enter a cramped or restricted environment, like a nightclub, hotel,
concert, event hall, etc, make sure you know the alternative exit. This exit is
mandated by law, and must never be locked. Lodge a complaint against any outlet
without a fire exit, a locked exit or a blocked exit to the fire department
(number below) so they can send a fire inspector. Then call the
department again to follow up. W
The Fire & Rescue Department can be reached at (03) 8888 0036 and The
Malaysian Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association at (03) 9200 1994. For
emergencies, call 994.
Next week: Evacuating safely and the situation with high-rise
buildings.
| Tips from The Malaysian Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association’s
website (http://www.mvfra.org/):
Remove piles of newspapers or other flammable rubbish. Replace fuses
of the wrong size. Be careful where you store flammable liquids (cleaning
fluids, contact adhesives, etc) and aerosols. Even a pilot light can set
vapours on fire. Dispose of outdated or empty cans properly.
Keep a large pot lid next to your stove to smother a pan fire. Get a
kitchen fire extinguisher and learn how to use it. Never leave cooking
unattended. Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles. Enforce a “Kid-Free
Zone” one meter around your kitchen stove.
Install smoke alarm in the middle of a ceiling in every room.
Otherwise, there should be at least one alarm outside the bedrooms, no
closer than 2m from a fluorescent light.
For apartments / condos:
Never keep rubbish in the hallway. Make sure it’s stored properly and
collected regularly.
Don't put items in the trash chute that are may get stuck. Things
caught in the chute can easily turn a fire in the basement into a fire on
your floor.
Make sure that your apartment door is tight-fitting and complies with
the fire code.
Inspect your exit stairwell doors. They must be self-closing, snap
shut and can unlock from both sides. If they don't meet this standard,
report to the fire department. Also, blocked exits, piled-up trash,
missing exit lights and open fire doors are against the law.
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